Photos of city council members attending TTU game causes controversy

Some city council members are taking criticism for attending Saturday's Texas Tech football game at the university's expense. The timing comes into question because a contract is pending between Tech and LP&L.

Let me get this straight. After all of the controversy this summer that surrounded LP&L and what appears to be an increase in property taxes for the citizens of Lubbock, this council cannot see the impropriety of their action? They cannot see how a $650,000 advertising purchase by LP&L from TTU that requires approval by the City Council could be a conflict of interest? And just what audience are they trying to reach with that kind of ad buy? Last check, LP&L is the only game left in town. This is not only a question of ethics, it's also a question of common sense. Unfortunately, it appears that this council has neither ethics nor sense.

According to the City Charter Article IX, Section4: The Mayor and each Councilmember shall be a resident citizen of the City of Lubbock and have the qualifications of electors therein. The Mayor and all Councilmembers shall be bona fide residents within the City and within the applicable District at the time of filing for office and must continue to reside within the City and the applicable District during the term of office. The Mayor, Councilmen, and other officers and employees shall not be indebted to the City; shall not hold any public office of emolument and shall not be interested in the profits or emoluments of any contract, job, work or service for the municipality or interested in the sale to the City of any supplies, equipment, material or articles purchased; nor shall any member of the City Council or the Electric Utility Board have a substantial interest in any public utility operating within the City of Lubbock, nor be in the employ of any person having a substantial interest in any public utility operating within the City of Lubbock. Substantial interest shall mean substantial interest as defined by the laws of the State of Texas regulating conflicts of interest of officers of municipalities. Any officer or employee of the City who shall cease to possess any of the qualifications herein required shall forfeit his office or position, and any contract in which any officer or employee shall or may become interested may be declared void by the Council. No officer or employee of the City shall accept any frank, free ticket, passes, or service, or anything of value, directly or indirectly from any person, firm or corporation, upon terms more favorable than are granted to the public, and any violations of this section shall be a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof, such office or employment shall be forfeited. (Amended 5/7/1988) Looks like a clear violation to me. They should be held responsible, and should know the restrictions placed on their office.

City policy regulates that no police officer may accept gratuities of any kind in the performance of their duties or as a result of their actions and yet the City Council exempts themselves from this policy, sort of like Obama and congress exempted themselves from ObamaCare. The mayor was right on the head. You must remove any hint of impropriety from your work to ensure public trust continues. The city council is remiss. I really think they have stepped on the law here.

The crooks were photographed using their service or thing of value on terms more favorable than granted to the public. Unless Hance regularly provides that box for free public use, then employees or officials of the city of Lubbock photographed or mentioned in that box are guilty of their criminal violation of Article IX Section 4 of the city charter. There is only One penalty for their crime. Forfeiture of office or employment. I expect to hear their public resignations at the next council meeting. For those who think I am lying about their criminal activity, verify the section to see the only criminal law in the charter itself.